We at Taste Magazine Cincinnati receive all kinds of press releases each month - most of which are interesting but may not have a place within the pages of our publication. This blog is their home and where you have the opportunity to judge their value yourself.

Tuesday, February 16, 2010

Sweet Local Story

For 25 years, Cincinnati resident Donna Phelps would bake up her "secret-recipe" cookies for her daughters Soccor games, school functions, and birthday parties. She would also faithfully bring them down to the local Findlay Farmers Market. Her first time there, she sold 180 cookies in an hour and a half. Wherever she brought them, Donna heard the same reaction  You should sell these cookies or open up a shop! She dreamed of opening up a bake shop one day. But with five children - how would she ever have the time or finances?

After all her kids were out of college, Donna took a leap of faith in a down economy and pursued her dream. She opened her first store, Donnas Gourmet Cookies, in October of 2008 in Cincinnati. She runs the store now with her daugther, Leah, who decided to help her mom although she graduated with a degree in English.

And this local gem has already shown a profit!

Donna's Gourmet Cookies was voted Best Chocolate Chip Cookie in 2008 by Cincinnati Magazine. Their specialty cookie menu offers a mouth-watering selection including: Mint Chocolate, Chocolate Chip Dipped In Ganache, Peanut Butter Cup, and Macadamia White Chocolate. Now, Donna also offers delicious cupcakes, brownies, granola bars, and more. ALL of which are made by hand, daily from scratch, using only the finest natural ingredients: no preservatives or artificial flavors. They even ship nationwide.

Donna has said she couldnt go through her life thinking I should have done this.